Archive for June, 2011

As you’ve probably noticed, I took a short hiatus from blogging. With my super busy graduation schedule, moving back home and weaning I just had to put something on the shelf. However, I’m back now, its a new month and I’m ready to share with y’all my latest recipes, and stories from life back with my family on the ranch.

As many know, all of Texas is suffering from a devastating drought. It has been a challenge for my friends and family all over this state. Prayers for rain are daily, sometimes hourly occurrence. I know it is coming, but in the mean time we have to keep the faith and keep on walkin’. My mom’s families ranch in Borden County, near Big Spring, have ponds drying up, and are hauling water to cattle. I was able to spend a few days with them this week, and they got 8-tenths to 2 inches on Wednesday which was the first rain they’ve received since October. Those 2 minute showers every evening truly make you appreciate well water, its kinda hard to wash your hair in less than 2 minutes!! Just sayin’

At the ranch here in Stinnett, we have a sheen of green, and with the ranch running on well-water it makes me appreciate even more the Ogalla Aquafier and the cool water we daily use as a family at the house, but also the water for our cattle and horses.The Channing ranch thankfully has windmill’s too. And currently the 24 windmills are all pumping cool water to cows with enough water, but not a surplus in forage. It has been since July that a good rain came to Oldham and Hartley Counties. Mesquite trees and yucca are the only green color across the landscape.

We’ve had to start weaning early, and all nine of my family, cousin Ben and hired-hand Dusty saddled up and gathered cattle early before the late spring heat got to hot. It was the first time in many months I got to ride out and help gather. I had a blast, and got to have Mr. Ike and Firefly ride shotgun with me.

When mom and I got back to the headquarters, we let the guys start sorting, and we finished lunch. It was a easy, fun meal that everyone enjoyed.

Weaning-Time Roast
1 large chuck roasts

Montreal Steak Seasonings
Salt/Pepper
Small amount of Oil

Water

In a large roasting pan, brown both sides of the roast. Sprinkle heavily with Montreal Seasonings, salt and pepper. Add 2 cups of water and cook in the oven for all night at 225 degrees, or for 4 hours at 350 degrees. We put it on, and then went to gather.

In large saucepan, cover baby carrots with water and boil until tender. Drain and keep warm. Meanwhile, slice squash very thinly, and add more water to the saucepan and boil until tender. Drain, and place the two veggies together. Pour in butter and cream and allow to simmer, and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve hot. (It can be turned off, and allowed to sit on the stove until ready, as long as other things on the stovetop are cooking and you keep a lid on the pan.)

Hope you enjoy the pictures, and the food. I’ll talk to y’all next week and until then –

Hello Y’all!

Welcome to our corner of the world! Welcome to the inspiration of two ranch girls Amy Brown and Anna-Lisa Giannini and our experiences cooking on a budget with beef while we are going to college and living in town. We want to share with you how easy it is to eat high class, while also eating healthy and enjoying every bite all the while making every dollar count!

We grew up with beef in the freezer, beef always on the table, and made from scratch food for every meal. Life off the ranch has been a challenge in many ways, but one of the hardest adjustments for us was cooking the food we love without breaking the bank.

Buying beef out of the meat case can be a challenge. We are going to share with you some tips we have learned, recipes we have created, and show you how we are able to satisfy homesickness for a while, by just filling our plates.